Village Saint Paul Brocante — Le Marais

By David Dadoun | Published: February 25, 2015

This coming March 14 and 15, a chic brocante will be in the Village St. Paul area of Le Marais, in the 4th Arrondissement of Paris.  In the Jewish Quartier of Paris, Village St. Paul is a well known hunting ground for fine antiques, arts and food.   One of my favorite antique shops in all of Paris –  Cassiopée– which specializes in fine silver, is located here. Read More »

Lingerie Boutiques In Paris — Popular As The Baguette

By Elise de Medici | Published: February 14, 2015

There are a few things you will quickly notice about Paris:  a boulangerie on just about every block, a pharmacy on every other block, and upscale lingerie boutiques displaying their seductive wares as commonly as a baguette.  Unlike Victoria’s Secret, which appeals as strongly to men clientele as women, the lingerie boutiques are decidedly for women.  Indeed, men rarely step into these boutiques, and are usually shoved out the door given they simply have no clue what to buy.  And while Valentine’s Day may create some churn in business, let’s face it — these shops are busy all year round.  Now with the release of Fifty Shades of Grey, visiting Paris and these boutiques you will also see where the book and film got their inspiration. Read More »

Valentine’s Day in Paris

By Charlotte McCulloch | Published: February 13, 2015

IMGP0527.JPGParis will always be a city synonymous with love, for most of us it’s the first place we come to when thinking of the perfect destination for a romantic break. This does mean however that many other couples will have the same idea of visiting The City of Light over the 14th February, so it’s important to plan ahead. If you are flying into Paris, certain airlines, like Air France may offer special deals on airfares over the Valentine’s weekend to encourage visitors, but do make sure you shop around for the best deal.

Once there an abundance of romantic things to do lie at your fingertips, here are some of the best to help you plan that perfect Valentine’s Day in Paris. Read More »

Rue des Rosiers — Je Suis Charlie — Je Suis Juif

By David Dadoun | Published: February 1, 2015

WP_20150125_008 Rue des Rosiers, the heart of Le Marais, the old Jewish ghetto of Paris, is as busy as ever.  The wait for lunch on a Sunday at L’As du Falafel, the venerable kosher restaurant that Israelis fly into from Tel Aviv to eat its falafel sandwiches, was more than 30 minutes.  The chic designer shops were equally busy, in part because this is the only place in Paris open on a Sunday, because it still is the “soldes” bi-annual sale and, most importantly, because the French and the free world are making a statement:  Je Suis Charlie, and Je Suis Juif.  Read More »

Black Truffle Season In Paris

By David Dadoun | Published: January 31, 2015

WP_20150123_019Winter season may be viewed as a lowlight for fresh harvests from the earth, but the most prized and expensive bounty is cultivated from December through early February — the black truffle.  More expensive than caviar, black truffles sell for over 1,000 Euros a kilo, fine restaurants share, for a short period of time this special treat — but expect to pay high prices for enjoying black truffles on the menu.  Black truffles are especially popular with foie gras, risotto and simply with eggs (in an omlette).  Just about any restaurant worth its salt has a special black truffle dish on the menu.

Some of our favorite places to find black truffles in Paris are:

Read More »

Galette des Rois (King’s Cake)

By David Dadoun | Published: January 19, 2015

Galette des Roi.JPGJust when you think New Year festivities are at an end, La Fête des Rois starts on the Epiphany holiday, which falls on the first Sunday in January.  This is a great holiday, where bakeries in France and throughout Paris make a round almond pastry cake that families buy to share, and celebrate a holiday where anyone can be king or queen for a day.  A ’fève’ (originally a bean but now tends to be a plastic or enamel trinket) is baked inside the cake and the cake is shared around the table. Whoever bites into the almond crusty cake and finds the fève (just be careful not to break your tooth!) is crowned king or queen for the day.  It is not too late to get your galette to be king for a day! Read More »